Thursday, March 19, 2015

I have heard from a few disgruntled Panthers fans today who wish that the team had given Greg Hardy another chance. Instead, the Dallas Cowboys will now employ the Kraken.

If you have missed my earlier columns on this issue, here is one of them. To me, this is exactly how it should have turned out for Carolina. Goodbye and good riddance to Hardy, who to me is just too much of a character risk to hijack a salary cap a second year in a row.

As I expected, the price for Hardy was not reasonable at all -- the Cowboys have gambled huge money on him. The reaction in Dallas, understandably, has been swift and stern from media types, but we all know given owner Jerry Jones' past actions that he is going to win at all costs (on and off the field) and figure that can take care of his public relations issues later.

For Carolina, though, this is the way it had to happen. The Panthers were already the No. 10 defense in the NFL without Hardy last season. Time to move on.

51 comments:

How is your opinion even relevant? We had a pro-bowler leave with no compensation except for, maybe, a compensatory pick. He received $13M last year and over $11M this year. How did he lose anything?! How is this good for the Panthers? We should have resigned him and added a probowler to the D-Line. I'm tired of this judge mental, "greater-than-thou" attitude. Let the game be exactly for what it is. Entertainment. He was awesome and I'm sad to see him go. I'm tired of ridiculous articles that act like we are better off for it. He lost nothing. He loses nothing by leaving.

Really? Goodbye would have been appropriate but good riddance ?? Seeing the Kraken leave Carolina is a blow to our team and they are quick to forget how much he meant and helped our defense become what it is and was .. I say good riddance to all the negative reports from these so called sports editors .. Release the Kraken.. Maybe these reporters can finally find something else to talk about now instead of the same issue every week with hardy. Report something positive for the fans of our carolina panthers.

Scott had you taken the time to read his contract you would have seen that the Cowboys took virtually no cap hit and won't have to pay him if he is suspended or injured or gets into trouble of any kind. The Panthers could have signed him with the same type of deal but chose otherwise. As for "goodbye and good riddance" you should know that some of us will be sending you similar well wishes when you move on, because heaven knows we need someone at the CO who can behave like a real sports journalist.

We'll see if u feel that way once the seasons underway and our corners are getting torched because we couldn't generate a passrush! Fowler, u must've forgotten the seattle game, the baltimore game, and other games we couldn't get to the quarterback and paid the price for it. Our defense only got better once we replaced the sorry corners and safeties that started prior to then. Top ten reflects our changes to the lignup not solely on the d-line. If hary would've returned we would be top three or two instantly!! Your gonna regret those ignorant comments very soon!!!

Scott you are so biased and opinionated and I don't mean that in a good way. I, for one wish Greg Hardy nothing but the best in his future endeavors and appreciate his contributions to to the Panthers football team over the past 4 years. I hope that he will learn from his mistakes and take advantage of this new opportunity in Dallas. Too bad that I can't say the same for you.

Scott, some of the comments here are harsh but honest. Let's put aside Hardy's off field troubles.

Now we have a player that was as important as Luke Kuechly to our defense. All pro, capable of turning a game at any moment.

Add the fact that he appears to be a huge leader on the field and in the locker room. Note: Only player to travel to AZ to be with Dwill during funeral.

Now, for the off field issues. I see two events that can be attributed to young and careless. I've been there, I grew up. And then the latest arrest, railroaded bench trial, railroaded NFL over-reaction.

No one will condone abuse towards a child, women or man. Don't you think it's possible that this woman got what see was after. I don't remember you or anyone try to railroad Jon Beason out of town during his strip club brawl. Or Smitty's multiple incidents.

Dallas got a all Pro talent for on a team friendly deal. Panthers should have done the same.

I blame the NFL, the Panthers for bowing to PC pressure and journalists like yourself.

I agree he had to go (Charlotte is too small for this) , but no need to kick him on the way out the door. I mean, is anyone truly shocked by a footballer who is desensitized to violence? These men are taught to hit & hurt almost from birth. What about the coaches who teach the behavior or the commissioner who is so desensitized that he gives a man who knocks a woman out cold only to months suspension? Do they have any responsibility Scott?

Goodbye and good riddance for what exactly. Oh a history of bad behavior. If domestic violence wasn't a buzz word no one would care. And domestic violence is only domestic violence because a women is involved and we have this over exuberance to protect women, not that anything is wrong with that. But check all the violence on the internet that no one gives a damn about. Country is going to hell. Athletes equal easy targets.

Good riddance huh, You will write anything to get readers to read your column. Rather it be good or bad. I have come to realize that journalist will never write the truth, but what will make them gain more acknowledgment at CO.We made a mistake when we let Peppers go and now we have repeated the same thing again with Greg. I can assume you havent ever played a down of football in your life. How is it that it seems as if you and Jerry Richardson were the only ones lobbying for Hardy to go. His coaches wanted him,teammates, and fans.Yea we were a top 10 defense, but we could have been a number one instantly had we kept Hardy. How is it that Dallas would take a chance of course having to deal with sponsors and other negative issues dealing with Hardy,but we cant. Any other team would have dealt with it had they knew what his suspension would have been. At the in of the day if we would have kept him and winning games this would be and after thought,because at the end of the day its about winning. Im sure a Super Bowl would have made Jerry forget all about those problems.So dont post ignorance as if we the fans are glad hes gone. Maybe it just you and mr richardson. and on that note im gone and good riddance.

Our team is better then letting a man like Hardy play for it. Have some self respect people. If Hardy came to the door to date your daughter you would be like "heck no". And for good reason. I am glad the Panthers stood up against domestic abuse.

deepenwide, the Cowboys' cap hit will be whatever they have to pay him. That could still be up to 13 mil. I'm not sure how that's "virtually no cap hit" when that would be more cap room than we have left for the year (pending changes).

Scott I will never agree with what Greg Hardy did was right but what I do know all of us have made mistakes in our lives some major mistakes and some not so big that have needed forgiveness and ify not just haven't been caught yet. I don't know you are to judge Greg Hardy if this man is a believer he has been already been forgiven by the highest judge. I want you to reflect back years to a young player who beat the crap out of a couple of teammates but Jerry Richardson choose to choose to have patient and make him get help in anger management and you were one of writers who wanted him chased out of town and look how that man Steve Smith turn out to help so many in our community. I don't know where Mr Richardson compassion or forgiveness went and I can't judge Mr Richardson because maybe Greg just didn't show true remorse I don't know. What I do know is we could have signed him on same type deal loaded with outs and been looking for a trade partner and got something for an all pro player. For myself I am thankful daily that Christ shed his blood a gave his life to take care of all of my sins yesterday, today and tomorrow so Scott you might want to think twice before you throw the first stone from your glass house

Scott, I know it is your opinion however you are wrong. Did Hardy make some mistakes yes. I don't think that a man should ever put his hands on a woman. However I must look at both sides I have a son and daughter and if it was my son and his first time ever touching a woman and it was a mistake I wouldn't want his career to be ruined. He deserves a second chance and yes it should have been here in Charlotte not any other team. The Panthers claim to be family what kind of family did they show to Hardy. You have your opinion it just happens to be wrong.

Yeah you suck. Its not like we made the playoffs last year... oh wait yeah we did.Well Greg Hardy was super productive... oh wait his abilities against double teams are non existentBut we don't have any one to take his place.. oh wait yeah we do ealy Addison Horton and Alexander younger cheaper production all for cost less than 13 mil there are what 30 pass rushers in the top 100 players in the draft. You don't get it it is a good thing he's gone people have to stop allowing athleticism to rid you of all guilt stop rewarding bad behavior

He never acted the least bit sorry about any of this and it seems unlikely he learned anything from it. He will be in the news again for the wrong reason soon enough. Smitty apologized for hitting a grown man. Hardy apologized for nothing and threw down some money he got for doing nothing to make it go away. If that's your idea of a hero move to Dallas with him.

Well many Panthers fan may be upset but last year proved that they can win without Hardy. If you want to win anyway possible then I guess you want him back but what if you witness a worst result than you got? May somebody gets hurt this time would that change your mind? If you have an unstable employee you have an obligation to your other employee to provide a stable safe work area. You have an image to the public not to be thugs. Your choice you can NEVER want the team again but then you would miss them winning the championship.

Everybody need to calm down! Hardy was the man but we needed to SPEND MONEY ELSE WHERE and also in the 2nd half of the season our D-LINE WAS DOMINANT ESPECIALLY AGAINST THE LIONS,SAINTS,FALCONS, CARDINALS AND SEAHAWKS!! WE WON THE NFC SOUTH TWICE AS REPEATED CHAMPS WITHOUT GREG HARDY PLAYING!! SO WE WILL BE FINE!!

Scott, you didn't even look at the contract because you would know what an idiot you are. The deal is for the league minimum and he only gets paid that money if he plays those games. If he does play those games he is well worth the money as our top three defense fell to tenth in the NFL without the kraken. This is Greg Hardys first ever encounter with the law so why wouldn't like to give such a difference maker a second chance. The players on our team would also disagree with you. This is a major blow that would have made our defense and team scary for years to come. Scott, im sorry but you're an idiot man.

There are always three sides to every story--each side and, eventually, the truth. In Hardy's case, only the written accusations in the women's deposition are known. She could very well have testified against him in the trial AND had a civil suit as well that would have brought her a tidy sum.

As a woman, I'm really angry she didn't take this route--she went for the money instead which makes her accusations suspect. Why didn't she want to testify against him? If there was so much evidence, he would have easily been found guilty which would have been a warning to the next women who comes in contact with him in the future...but we'll never know because she made the conscience decision to take money to avoid testifying. In doing so, she prevented us from hearing his side of the story and that's an important fact that's being over-looked. She is the one who circumvented the legal process. So, if SHE felt it wasn't worth pursuing, why should I defend her if she doesn't have the decency to defend herself?

The case has been dismissed and the charges were dropped. How much longer would you suggest we try her case in the arena of public opinion? It's time to move on.

In the future, please avoid writing such inflammatory articles when you don't know the whole story. Your view doesn't reflect my opinion, and judging from the comments of many others to this article, it doesn't reflect the majority opinion.

I'm glad to see many many others think Scott Fowlers' opinions are annoying and obnoxious . I stopped caring about his opinions, when he said the Panthers should cut Moose for dropping a pass against the Falcons back in our Super Bowl season.

It blows my mind the amount of crap and hate the organization is getting for not re-signing this guy. Yes, he is an amazing talent and could elevate our defense, but at the end of the day, this team moved on from him last year. It took the defense a few games, but they started putting it all together including Kony Ealy who after next season is gonna make everyone forget about Hardy. It took Hardy until his 3rd season to break out and I expect Ealy to start breaking out next season. Secondly, Hardy has had character issues since college, one of the reasons why he fell so deep in the draft was not only injuries but also character concerns. Everyone acts like Hardy was a huge contributor last season, well he wasn't. He played week 1 and that was it. There is a reason why it took over a week for somebody to sign him and all he could get was a 1 year deal? Teams are scared to take a risk on this guy. The panthers are going to be fine, and if they can find Hardy in the 6th round of the NFL draft i'm sure the panthers can find another stud pass rusher to replace him. And to deepenwide, if Hardy doesn't get suspended or injured he will get paid a full 11.3 million which would count against the salary cap.

The Panthers let another player go to get his SuperBowl Ring. without sitting down and talking with the player to close a football deal. It is called Making a deal with someone who has left his all on the field for the Carolina Panthers. CAM NEWTON and all Carolina Panther players now know or should have always known who they work for and the reputation of the team. It is for sure more good players will leave for better coaching and other gratifying life improvements. DO YOUR THING GREG HARDY for GREG HARDY.

Some people really have got the crazies over this situation and are out to destroy a person over their own opinion yet are willing to sit silent about Ben Roethisberger which is worse--far worse and I don't think any sportscaster cared ever what Ben did or looked into his police record or investigation enough to care about "those women"--one being a young college student.

No one can talk about any of the 3 players who got in trouble when you got players Roethlisberger playing.

I would trade Gettleman for Hardy and not even blink. The Panther sand NFL overreacted and now the Cowboys will benefit. People forget Gettleman paid Steve Smith not to play.He went on to get 1000 yards for Baltimore. The also forget that he put Tyler Gaffney on waivers and he was promptly picked up by Belichick. Race to the bottom!

It amazes me that so many fans turn a blind eye to wrong doing...so many fans blame a corrupt judge...so many fans make assumptions absent of all of the facts. And all that just because this guy can sack a QB. All of you people defending Greg Hardy would be trying to bury him if your daughter was his target. The team is better off without him. Good riddance.

Scott, I can't agree with you more. We won't stop having these issues with unconscionable actions by players until it is unacceptable for any team to employ them. In any other business, even many branches of entertainment, behavior like this would be met with dismissal and unemployability. The issues are not about cap hits and salary structure, but doing what is the right and moral thing to do. I wish none of this had happened and Hardy could still be on the team with no baggage, but Hardy knew what was expected of him by Mr. Richardson and the league and he chose to ignore that.

You guys should be proud of the team you're with which you're left. The 2014 season wasn't pretty, but to see that Carolina defense come together in the second half of the year was a thing of beauty. Let the character risk play for a team that invites them in. After Dallas realizes they messed up, Hardy will go to Cincy, and then Oakland. Maybe you can take the millions you saved on Hardy and spend it to make that offense worth mentioning in 2015.

I don't know all the specifics but I do know that the court favors a women in these types of situations and there are plenty of women who create situations like this to get a big settlement. Not saying this is the case but it seems very probable considering she took the money and dropped charges. I heard the 911 call and it sounded to me like it was the woman that was out of control. Just saying.

To John Clay & all of the anonymous posters who disagree with Scott... The truth hurts. Dallas gains a pass rusher. Carolina wins. Multiple players for the same money & no more headaches. This guy is a tool. How is Scott Fowler's opinion relevant? He covers the Panthers team, he is knowledgeable writer not just a guy sitting on the couch cheering for a Victory...

Good riddance indeed. All these morons here saying 'keep him' are tacitly supporting a man who beats women. He didn't deserve to play for a respectable team, hence the Cowboys reaching down to get him.

Would you want him teaching at a school or dating your daughter? Would you want him living next door? Dude is a violent psycho and you want to cheer for him. Pathetic.

You people should be ashamed of yourselves for supporting such a person just because he makes the defense a little better.

How stupid are you. Top 10 defense because we finished the year playing teams worse than us. We missed Greg because looks are more important than winning. Remember you wanted him gone come February when we are watching him in the super bowl

He had time to travel because he couldnt play. He also isnt woth the money. Take a lot at his stats. He had 16 of those 26 sacks in four games. So for 28 games he had tens sacks. He is hot and cold not consistent. Scoring defense can include more than just def points allowed. We allowed tenth in total yards def last year. Take away turnovers and special teams and thats pretty good.

And to off the field. Anyone that wants him on their team is a coward. I am a son, a husband, and a father and I believe any man that lays a harmful hand on any woman to be a coward and the scum of the universe. I will not watch any game that anyone convicted of committing any crime agaisnt women. I never watched vick after nor lenard little. We as fans have to have standards and some of you cowards think that winning is all that matters. I can tell you that everyone in the Panthers organization sleeps well at night knowing he is gone.